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The differences between quality engineers and systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a quality engineer, becoming a systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a systems engineer has an average salary of $82,834, which is higher than the $79,672 average annual salary of a quality engineer.
The top three skills for a quality engineer include corrective action, continuous improvement and ISO. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Quality Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $79,672 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $38.30 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 96,838 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Quality engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $79,672 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $103,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a quality engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Quality Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between quality engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Quality Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 13.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |